I&M's 4th solar plant generating power in southwest Michigan

Indiana Michigan Power announced the Watervliet Solar Power Plant is generating power as of Thursday.

According to I&M, the company’s fourth plant is located just east of Watervliet and contains more than 50,000 solar panels that can create power for approximately 650 homes.

The four plants combined generate enough electricity to power 2,000 homes annually.

“I&M is dedicated to serving customers in the ways they want to be served, and many customers have told us they want more renewable energy,” said Paul Chodak III, I&M President and Chief Operating Officer.

The company says in addition to creating clean energy, I&M has partnered with Electric Power Research Institute to measure the performance of the solar plants.

“The addition of these solar plants comes as I&M advances in its transition toward less use of coal. In fact, even before these plants came online, I&Ms’ generation last year was 60- percent emission-free,” says Chodak.

The three other plants are located in Indiana near Marion, New Carlisle, and Mishawaka.

American Electric Power, the parent company of I&M, plans to spend $1 billion on green and renewable energy generation over the next few years.